HANSEN,

Gene M.

(Age 83)

September 19th, 1926-

November 16th, 2009

If all GOOD things come to an end, and the corollary (evil lives forever) is true; then we are all blessed who pass from this earth. Gene was blessed November 16, 2009, as were those who loved him: Shirley who

called him husband for 52 years; Kerry Hansen, Reg Hansen (Spokane), Steve and Teresita Hansen (Spokane), Ron and Peachie Kissock (Butte, MT) who called him Dad; Alyssia Hansen (Spokane), Holly and Seth White (Spokane), Nicholle and Hal Knauth (Bigfork, MT), Cody and Holly Kissock (Rocker, MT) who called him Grandpa; Conner, Emma, Kyler, and Gracie who called him Papa; and numerous friends and relatives who called him --- among other things --- Gene, Geno, Jack, and Dogface.

He provided for his family. Money was not always readily available, but he toiled as an operating engineer laying pavement for S&F and Inland Asphalt companies and later on the county paving crew; plowing snow at night and for the county; leveling and grading yards and parking lots; brokering vehicle and real estate deals; and teaching untrained and troubled youth as a coordinator for the National Youth Conservation Corps to make ends meet. We didn't always have what we wanted, but we always had what we needed!

A veteran of the United States Army Air Corps (1946), he leveraged skills he learned growing up to become an Airplane and Engine Mechanic. Those skills served him well operating the Mead Race Track (along with his father Clarence and mother Jessie) His memories of the race track stuck with him all his life. He looked forward to the running of the Indy 500 and talked of popular racers that could trace their roots back to the Mead Track. He enjoyed hunting --- particularly game birds --- horses, motorcycling, boating, games of chance, sledding, skating, auctions and involved his family in those activities. He taught us all the value of a buck and how to earn one.

In 1971, Don McLean sang about "The Day the Music Died" when a plane crashed in 1959. For Gene and for us, the music died in a car wreck in 1982 and resulted in the death of his son Kerry. Gene spent the remainder of his days searching for the music and struggled to "Make peace with his Maker" as the plaque on his wall urged. Now --- at last --- he has found the music. Re-united with Kerry, he can finally make peace!

We find comfort in knowing he will rest happily, interned with Kerry at Riverside Memorial Park. At his request, no memorial services will be conducted, but he'll be waiting at Riverside if you'd like to stop by and say "Hello!" from time to time.

SPOKANE CREMATION & BURIAL SERVICE, 2832 N. Ruby. 324-9375

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